Textile exporters have complained about not getting the machinery withholding income tax exemption certificate despite the online requisition through the IRIS system, asking the FBR for an immediate help to end the crisis.
A letter, which Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PHMA) sent to Chairperson Rukhsana Yasmin, seeks help for ending the certification delays that the exporters are faced with. A copy of the letter also provided to Business Recorder on Saturday, says that the Commissioner Inland Revenue, Zone IV, Corporate RTO is not issuing the certificate despite the exporters have applied through IRIS online system.
The PHMA indicates that the exporters avail the exemption certification on machinery under SRO 947(I)/2008, for which the applicants have to apply online through the IRIS system under section 159(I)/148 of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, that is read with Rule 40(3) of the Income Tax Rules, 2002.
It says that a large number of our member exporters have placed complaints with the PHMA for being failed to avail the certificate despite having passed several days. The online facility was introduced to save time and expedite the process enabling the exporters to import machinery without hassles for the BMR to enhance their output.
"It appears that such delays have been deliberately caused for some ulterior motives to fail the automated system as the Commissioner also demands the hard copy of such request which is not understood as the IRIS is a centralized system providing access to FBR Officials and to maintain paperless environment. Reportedly, such complaints have been continuously received since this new Commissioner has assumed charge of the said office," according to the letter.
"You are further requested to kindly also direct the Commissioner Inland Revenue, Zone-VI, Corporate RTO, Karachi to promptly respond to the genuine and legitimate requests of exporters and do not cause unnecessary hassle to genuine taxpayers in future," it requests.